A blog dedicated to coverage of rock news, reviews of CD's/DVD's, live gigs and interviews with musicians who have made rock music great!
Coverage of hard rock, classic rock, AOR and popular melodic rock music across the genre.
This blog is the creation of Alun Williams, a Brit now living in Michigan whose previous credits include writing for the following sites:
www.classicrock.about.com
www.classicrockrevisited.com
and www.rocknrolluniverse.com (Now gone)
I hope you enjoy your visit here!

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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Brief News Update for Thursday 26th May, 2011

Frontiers to release Yes - Fly From Here CD and DVD set

Grammy Award winners YES, one of the most influential and ground-breaking progressive rock ‘n’ roll bands ever, are back with their first all original new album in 10 years. As a dominant force for more than four decades, YES has sold more than 33 million albums worldwide. Their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical style has made each of the group’s players virtuosos in their own right.

"Fly From Here" encompasses YES’ signature brand of mysticism and grand-scale compositions. Maintaining a complex, symphonic sound that features the beautiful harmonies and strong heavy riffs they are known for.

"Fly From Here" sees YES teaming up again with legendary, 2-time Grammy Award winning producer, Trevor Horn (Buggles, Tina Turner, Pet Shop Boys, Paul McCartney, Simple Minds etc). Horn also collaborated with the songwriting and brought in the sessions his former Buggles and Yes partner Geoff Downes (of Asia) on keyboards, thus recreating the creative environment of the“Drama” album. The legendary designed Roger Dean painted once again the cover art.

YES’ powerful compositions influenced a generation of musicians with a hugely successful and indelible catalogue of music with hit albums such as DRAMA, FRAGILE, CLOSE TO THE EDGE and 90125. Classics such as “Roundabout,” a seminal hit which consistently appears on “the best songs of all-time” lists, and the group’s #1 hit “Owner of a Lonely Heart,” which Horn is responsible for. Taken from the YES album 90125, this single would form part of a unique double, which would see YES and Horn top both the UK and US charts simultaneously.

Tracklisting:

1.Overture

2.We Can Fly

3.Sad Night At The Airfield

4.Madman At The Screens

5.Bumpy Ride

6.We Can Fly (Reprise)

7.The Man You Always Wanted Me To Be

8.Life On A Film Set

9.Hour Of Need

10.Solitaire

11.Into The Storm

DVD:

Includes 25 mins. Documentary “Making of” the album – “We Can Fly” videoclip.

YES:

Benoit David: vocals

Steve Howe: guitar

Chris Squire: bass

Alan White: drums

Geoff Downes: keyboards

Produced by Trevor Horn

Euro Release date: July 1st, 2011

USA Release date: July 12th, 2011

The band have this to say through their website:

Hey everyone!

We know it's been a long time coming but its finally here. We're looking forward to sharing our new music with you and to seeing you on the road.

Fly From Here will be available in Japan on June 22, in the EU on July 1, and in the US on July 12.

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Legends Bring Their Unforgettable Live Show To Latin America.

America’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll band, Aerosmith, will bring their one of a kind live show to Latin America this fall. The tour kicks off October 22nd in Lima, Peru. Presale tickets will go on sale May 24th and 25th for the fan club. General tickets will go on sale May 26th. The band first played in Latin America in 1977 and last year’s electrifying tour through South America left fans begging for more.

Frontman Steven Tyler says of the upcoming tour, “I'm looking forward to sweating up a storm with the crazy Latin American fans."

"The band is so excited to play for our Latin American fans. We didn’t think we would be back so soon. Every gig we play there is always a special one,” says guitarist Joe Perry of their return.

"We had a fantastic time when we toured South America in 2010 and are looking forward to seeing our amazing and passionate fans across Latin America when we return later this year," adds bassist Tom Hamilton.

Rock icons for over 30 years, Aerosmith’s music spans generations while its members remain as dynamic and innovative as they were when the band first began. As four time Grammy winners, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees (2001), recipients of 12 MTV Music Video Awards, and countless other awards, Aerosmith shows no sign of slowing down performing memorable sold out shows around the world for decades as well as selling over 150 million albums. Blazing past the trends and fads of rock and roll, the band has created their own unique place in rock history as one of the most powerful forces in popular music.
Website: http://www.aerosmith.com/

JUDAS PRIEST ROCKED 'AMERICAN IDOL' WEDNESDAY NIGHT!

May 25th, 2011 - No, your eyes did not deceive you – the one and only Judas Priest just debuted their new guitarist, Richie Faulkner, tonight on 'American Idol'! Ripping through a medley that included kick ass renditions of two 'British Steel' classics ("Living After Midnight" and "Breakin' the Law") with major Priest fan – and this season 'American Idol' hopeful – James Durbin joining in on vocals.

This is the second time that Durbin has professed his admiration for Priest on the show, as he wowed judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler a while back with a rendition of "You've Got Another Thing Comin'." Although Durbin was recently voted off the show, he undoubtedly has a bright rocking future ahead, as evidenced by his multi-octave vocal range.

Judas Priest recently announced plans to launch their farewell Epitaph Tour, which will take them around the world, including a just-announced U.S. tour of arenas from October through December, which will also feature opening acts Black Label Society and Thin Lizzy.

Speaking on Wednesday to the Rolling Stone website, Priest singer Rob Halford had the following to say about what fans can expect on the group's forthcoming trek. "We're pulling out all the stops. We've built a brand new stage set, we've got all the effects that people love us for – the lasers, the fire, the bombs, the smoke, new costumes, and the bike. It's just a full-on metal extravaganza."

Few heavy metal bands have managed to scale the heights that Judas Priest has during their nearly 40 year career. Responsible for not only issuing some of metal's all-time classic albums ('British Steel,''Screaming for Vengeance,' and 'Painkiller') and anthems (the aforementioned "Breaking the Law" and "Living After Midnight," and "You've Got Another Thing Coming"), the group has been one of the leading arena rock acts for decades, and single-handedly introduced the "leather look" to heavy metal.

And now Judas Priest are set to blast their way round the world one final time.Confirmed Judas Priest U.S. Tour Dates (more dates to be announced shortly):

UK institution, Status Quo will set out as usual for their December UK tour with special Guests for all dates being The Roy Wood Rock & Roll Band and Kim Wilde.
Buy tickets for this tour now from the Status Quo Ticket Store at http://www.statusquo.co.uk/